News/Press Releases

GPC Chorale Hopes to Perform at Carnegie Hall

Fourteen members of the Georgia Perimeter College Chorale are trying to make it to New York City for what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity: the chance to sing at Carnegie Hall. But first they must raise the money to go.

The choral group has been invited to participate in the Masterworks Festival Series with the New York City Chamber Orchestra on April 19. They are slated to join other college singers from across the nation for a performance of the classic piece “Requiem” by Gabriel Faure. Simon Carrington will conduct.

It will cost each student $1,424 to attend the four-day event, said GPC Chorale Director Susan McEwen. That includes four nights in a hotel, round-trip flight, transportation, professional orchestra soloists and the conductor, but does not include meals. So far, the students have raised $400 a piece. They soon risk losing their deposit if they do not raise the additional funds.

“Unfortunately, many of our choir students are low-income or dependent and finances have been made worse due to the economy,” said Fatimah Mustafaa, a GPC chorale student, who is also president of the Chorale.

Participating in the chorale has opened up her eyes—and ears—to music and languages that she would not have otherwise experienced, said Rashanda Barber, a soprano in the group.

“We’ve sung in different languages –Italian, Spanish—German was the hardest,” she said. “But it has been a real learning experience.”

“This is an opportunity for the group to perform a glorious work in a glorious setting … and get to know people from all around the nation,” said McEwen.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, April 11 the group will perform in a special fundraiser concert at Smoke Rise Baptist Church , 5901 Hugh Howell Road, Stone Mountain. There are no tickets for the event, but donations are appreciated. For information, contact McEwen at Susan.Sigmon@gpc.edu or 678-891-3556-# # # -Georgia Perimeter College, the third largest institution of the University System of Georgia, serves more than 25,000 students through four campuses and several sites in metro Atlanta. For additional information, visit www.gpc.edu.